Cleaning apparatus



May 8, 1951 A. T. KARAS CLEANING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 11, 1948 INVENTOR. ANTHONY T. K ARAS ail/$ 442 y 1951 A. T. KARAS 2,552,282

CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 11, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ANTHONY T KARAS A TORNEY y 8, 1951 A. T. KARAS CLEANING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 11, 1948 1/ Z INVENTOR. ANTHONY T. KARAS T :gRNEY Patented May 8, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to equipment for dry cleaning wearing apparel and more particularly is directed to apparatus for cleaning hats, caps, and the like.

In the majority of dry cleaning establishments, a conventional machine is employed for cleaning soiled garments. Such a machine usually includes, among other things, a tank partially filled with a liquid cleaner and a drum or cylinder for the clothes rotatably mounted in the tank. The walls of the drum are foraminated to provide liquid communication between the tank and drum, and bafiies may be provided on the drum to turbulate the liquid and assist in causing agitation and tumbling of the clothes. When for instance, apparel like hats swash against one another, the baflies, and assorted apparel, they readily lose their original shape and become distorted or stretched, and occasionally one is damaged beyond repair. durable character, not including those which are frail, do not stand up long when subjected to such treatment. In other words, the conventional machine is not suitable to properly clean items such as hats.

Accordingly, one of the principal objects of the invention is to provide the apparatus with a rack for individually supportin items as hats to be subjected to the cleaning fluid.

More particularly, an object of the invention is to provide coupling means adjacent the extremities of the drum and rack so that the rack may be easily and quickly detachably connected for rotation with the drum, thereby permitting a conventional machine to be readily converted into apparatus for cleaning certain items in a different way. In other words, the subject invention provides a machine suitable for at least two purposes, without appreciably increasing the cost, and no additional floor space is required, all of which is important to proprietors of smaller establishments where a minimum of overhead expense and floor space are essential to satisfactory operations.

A significant object of the invention is to provide improved means for controlling the rotative speed of the drum and rack as a unit, regulation of the cleaning fluid, and circulation of air through the tank, drum, and rack to accomplish the results desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unique rack, preferably comprised of a shaft or rod having radial spaced apart arms with improved means at their ends for firmly detachably holding, the hats against substantial de- Expensive hats of a formity when subjected to the cleaning and drying operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rack and coupling means therefor embodying a minimum number of components which can be economically manufactured on a commercial basis, and which will stand up in use and operate efficiently.

Other objects and attributes of the invention will become apparent after considering the specification hereinafter set forth in conjunction with the drawings annexed hereto.

In the drawing wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals:

Figure 1 is a front view in elevation of the dry cleaning machine embodying the improved principles of design and construction of the subject invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of the machine illustrated in Figure 1 depicting, among other things, means for driving and controlling the rotative speed of the drum adapted to contain the apparel or items to be cleaned;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through portions of the tank and drum assembly illustrating the accessory or rack adapted for disposition in the drum for supporting hats or similar items;

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section, similar to Figure 3, illustrating the arrangement of the arms on the accessory or rack adapted to support the hats or other items;

Figures 6 and 7 are enlarged views exemplifying improved coupling means whereby the .accessory may be detachably mounted in the drum;

Figure 8 is a section taken substantially on line 8-8 in Figure 1 showing means for sealing the tank cover to prevent escape of the cleaning fluid from the tank;

Figure 9 is a front view of the accessory or rack;

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line Ill-4|] of Figure 9;

Figure 11 illustrates an arm part of the accessory for supporting a conventional hat;

Figure 12 is an end view of the supporting part illustrated in Figure 11 showing unique means for retaining a hat firmly on such part against accidental displacement; and

Figure 13 is a detail of the arm part depicted in Figures 11 and 12 illustrating the use of frictionalmeans; whereby to assistin resisting relative movement between a hat and such retaining means Referring to the drawings, numeral I is a generally rectangular frame providing a substantial support for a cylindrical stationary tank 2 adapted to contain a quantity of fluid sufficient for cleaning purposes, and a reservoir 3 from which the fluid is forceably circulated into the tank through an upright pipe 4 by a pump 5 driven by an electric motor 6. A combined gauge and regulator l is preferably employed to maintain a predetermined depth of fluid in the tank and will be subsequently described. When de sired the fluid may be drained ofi into the reser voir 3 through a return line 8 having a valve 9 therein.

A foraminated cylindrical drum to, adapted to contain wearing apparel or other items to be cleaned, is rotatably mounted in spaced. apart concentric relationship with respect to the stationary tank 2.. Such mounting is preferably accomplished by providing the drum with aligned axles H-- and 12 which extend through the end walls I3 of the drum and end walls of the'tank and are journalled in: angular bearing brackets l-4carr-ied by the tank as clearly illustrated in Figures 4, 6, and"7-. The end'wal-l's of the drum are reinforced by bushings l5 and the shafts are fixedthereto by cross-pins lG-sdthat the axles will rotate with thedrum. Obviously, other means may be used to secure the axles to the drum. Glands ll surrounding the axles serve to prevent theescapeof cleaning fluid or air through the end walls of the tank.

The tank, is provided with ahinged, door l8 andclamp fasteners l9 for holding the door against a gasket 20, as depicted in: Figures 1, 4., and 8, to prevent leakage, and the drum. is similarly provided with adoor 2]. andfasteners 22. The opening in the, tankclosableby thedoor I8 i of a size sufiicientto-permit removal of the drum when desired.

The inner extremitiesoi the axles H and. I2 are. preferably designed and constructed ina manner whereby an accessory or rackconstituting animportant component of the subject invention-is adapted to.be detachably coupled to such extremities. Such couplingv may. be, effected in various ways, but. asherein, illustrated, the. longitudinal shaft 23' of the rack. is provided with a collar 24, secured at. one end. thereof by acrosspin 25. This collar is formed. with a circular recess 28. which receives the. inner extremity of axle l I. The inner extremity; of the axle 1-2 is provided with a diametrical slot 21 and the other end oftheshaft 2.3 with. a key. 28 which may. be slid into either end of. the, slot to the position shown. in Figure 6. when a. slip ring 29,. on the shaft is shifted back. against a helical spring 30. also carried by the shaft. This slip ring is provided with a recess 31 whichreceives an annular abutment 32 affixed to the shaftv by av pin 33. The recess is counterbored at 34 to form a socket for, the inner extremity of axle I2. The spring 30 is normally under tension with one end backed against a stopand its other end engaging the ring so as to force the ring in a direction toward the shaft 12. Thus, it will be evident that the rack can be readily detachably connectedfor rotation with the drum. The opening inthe. drum normall closed by the door 2! is preferably of a size suifici'entto permit the rack to be removed therethrough. It is to be understood that the invention contemplates the us of. any suitablermeansfor detachably connecting a rack within the drum, and that the invention may be practiced even though the drum is omitted.

The shaft 23 may be provided with any suitable means for supporting hats, caps, lamp shades, or any items that can be cleaned in such apparatus, but as herein exemplified the shaft is provided with a plurality of equally axially spaced sets of radial arms 35, the four arms comprising each set being preferably circumferentially spaced apart degrees and spirally with respect to the longitudinally axis of the shaft.

More specifically in this respect, all of the arms in each set are preferably disposed in a single transverse plane and each set is preferably secured-to the shaft in a slightly different rotative position with respect to the adjacent set, in a generally spiral or helical arrangement; in other words, the arms are not located in straight rows on the shaft. With this unique arrangement, the hats or other items to be cleaned will be-more or less successively subjected to the cleaning fluid, thereby preventing excessive or undue splashing of the fluid and promoting a well balanced, smooth acting gyrating operation. It is to be understood that insofar as the subject invention isconcerned, the arms may be arranged aboutthe longitudinal axis of the rack or accessory shaft in anysuitable position whereby to obtain the most efiicient results.

Any means suitable for the purpose maybe employed for retaining the hats or other items to be cleaned on the arms 35 but as herein illustrated, the outer extremity of each arm is preferably formed with an offset 36. A radially extending'bar 31' is secured to offset 36 by rivets 38. The outer extremity of each bar is provided with a flange 39 -and one end of a generally oval shaped resilient element 40 of suficient width is anchored thereto by rivets 4|. The other end of the element is provided with an elongated'slot 42 which slidably receivesa rib 43 formed on the flange 39 in order that the element may be expanded or contracted to the cross-sectional size desired as exemplified in Figures 12 and 13 of the drawing. The inner end of an operating lever 44 is pivotally connected to the inner extremity ofthe bar and its outer end is provided with a plate 45 fixedly secured to the resilient elementby rivets 46. A weight 4? is attached to the opera-tinglever at an appropriate location. The components of the hat retaining'means are preferablyso constructed and arranged that the resilient element may be contracted as illustrated by the dotted lines in Figure 12 so that the crown portion 48 of a hat 49 may be mounted thereon with the sweat band 50 outturned a exemplified in Figure 11. The offset end 35 of each arm provides clearance for the brim 51 of the hat. When the accessory or rack is rotated in the direction of, the arrow 52, the weights due to centrifugal force cause the resilient elements to expand and as a result the hats are automatically effectively retained in place- The axes of the oval shaped resilient supporting element 40': and crowns of the hats are disposed in parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of rack shaft 23 so that the hats swash broadside through the cleaning fluid. If found desirable, an expanded spring or an adjustable means may be connected to the bar and operating lever to normally maintain the resilient element in an expanded condition in lieu of the weight set up.

In order to further assist in retaining a hat on a resilient element 49 the exterior curved surface of the element may be providedwith a coating or layer 53 of friction material such as an abrasive, rubber, or equivalents thereof.

The drum and hat rack may be rotated at any speed desired by appropriate means, but as herein depicted are driven by the electric motor 8 which operates the pump 5. More specifically in this regard, the motor drive shaft 54 and axle I2 are operatively connected by a plurality of belt and pulley arrangements to obtain at least two different rates of speed; a lower rate being preferably employed when the hats are subjected to the cleaning fluid and a higher rate during the dry-off or spinning period when the tank is substantially free of fluid.

As clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2, a bearing standard 55 is mounted on the extension of a platform 56, which platform also preferably carries the reservoir 3, pump and motor 8. The outer end of the motor drive shaft 58 is jdfirnalled in the standard and'a pulley 51 is afiixed on and for rotation with the shaft. A pair of parallel and horizontal shafts 58 and 58 have their inner ends journalled in suitable bearings mounted in a cross member carried by the legs 68 of the tank supporting frame I and their outer ends in standard 55. Shaft 58 carries a pair of pulleys SI and 62 adapted for rotation therewith and an idle pulley 83 therebetween. These pulleys are substantially of the same diameter. A belt 85 connects pulley 51 on the motor shaft with idle pulley 83 on shaft 58 and a belt shifter 64 may be operated to shift the belt 65 onto pulley 6! or 62 to obtain either'of the speeds desired. A small pulley 88 and a large pulley 6'! spaced therefrom are mounted on shaft 59 for rotation therewith. Axle l2 similarly supports a small pulley 88 and a large pulley 89.

A V-belt H operatively connects pulley 82 on shaft 58 with the large pulley 81 on shaft 59 and a V-belt 12 connects the small pulley 68 on a shaft 59 with the large pulley 69 on axle !2 so that when belt 55 is shifted onto pulley 82 the drum and rack may be rotated at a predetermined uniform rate of speed for an appropriate period of time during which the hats are subjected to the cleaning fluid maintained at a predetermined depth in the tank 2 and drum It! by the adjustable gauge 1 as depicted in Figures 1, 3 and 5. The drum, among other things, serves to break up the fluid during the washing or cleaning period and since it is foraminated' a certain amount of fluid is dispersed in a circuitous direction over and down through the hats or other items on the rack. The pulley 85 on shaft 58 is operatively connected to pulley 68 on axle l2 by a V-belt 18 so that when the belt 85 is manually shifted onto pulley 6! the drum and hat rack will be rotated or spun at a different uniform rate of speed to free the saturated hats or other items carried by the rack from the cleaning fluid, when the tank is substantially empty of fluid. It is to be understood that the invention contemplates driving the rack at any speed or speeds suitable to obtain the best results.

During the spinning or drying period, the hats carried by the rack are preferably subjected to a continuously moving volume of air generated by a suction fan .13 mounted on a shelf is adjacent one end of the tank, a duct 15 extending from the fan for communication with the atmosphere exteriorly of the building. A stack '58 is suitably supported adjacent the other end of the tank and is provided with a damper T! to prevent fumes from the fluid in the tank and drum from passing into the room where the machine is situated.

Bafiles 18 may be arranged in the stack to exclude the possibility of any cleaning liquid from being expelled outwardly through such stack. The arrangement is preferably such that the fan is actuated during the spinning or drying operation, but obviously can be actuated While the hat are being subjected to the action of the cleaning fluid. In any event, air is preferably adapted to be passed or circulated through and about the hats prior to their removal from the rack.

As stated above, the return line 8 may be opened by a valve 9 when one desires to drain off the fluid from the tank into the reservoir 3. The spinning operation takes place after the tank is substantially empty or free of fluid. The pump 5 is adapted to operate while the rack is rotating, and to prevent any fluid in the reservoir, from passing into the tank 2 through the upright pipe Q, a by-pass line 19 is connected to the pipe and reservoir. This pipe 4 is provided with a valve 88 and by-pass 19 with a valve 8!. When valve 80 is closed and valve 8| is opened, the fluid will circulate through the by-pass back into the reservoir, and when valve 80 is opened and valve 8| is closed, the fluid will pass up through pipe 4 into the tank 2.

The adjustable gauge 1 above referred to preferably includes a pair of upstanding or vertical closely associated parallel pipes 82 and 83. Pipe 82 is connected to the return 8 above valve 9 by a line 84 and pipe 83 to the reservoir by a line 85. An inverted U-shaped tubular member 88 has its ends telescopically adjustable in pipes 82 and 83, with glands 8! to prevent leakage. With this unique arrangement, and due to the fact that a liquid seeks its own level, the height of the liquid in the tank will correspond substantially to the height of the upper extremity of element 86. When, for example, the element is lowered as illustrated by the dotted lines in Figure 1 of the drawing, the liquid in the tank will be correspondingly lowered. This is an inexpensive, yet efficient way to control the depth of the liquid. If found desirable graduations may be provided on the element to indicate various depths as illustrated in Figure 1.

The term cleaning fluid as herein employed is intended to include any desirable liquid, such as naphtha, derivatives thereof, solvent, or agent, suitable for the purpose.

In view of the foregoing, it will be manifest that the invention embodies improved principles of design and construction whereby a conventional cleaning machine ma be modified or converted into a machine to serve a plurality of uses. And it is to be understood that although the rack or accessory above described is particularly adapted to support hats, the invention contemplates the utilization of different forms or types of racks including various means for supporting different items to be cleaned.

While the foregoing description has been given in detail, it is not the intention to thereby restrict the scope of the invention beyond that defined by the appended claims since the inventive principles thereof are capable of assuming other physical embodiments than those hereinbefore described.

Iclaim:

l. A cleaning machine comprising a tank adapted to contain a cleaning fluid, a horizontal foraminated drum rotatably mounted in said tank ably, connecting it within, the drum to the; coupling means, arms carried by the shaft, and means carried by the arms for attaching items thereto.

2'. A dual purpose cleaning. machine comprising a frame, a tank for liquid horizontally supported on the frame, an opening in the tank'anda cover for the opening, axles extending throughthe end walls of the tank, a foraminated drum within the tank horizontally supported on the axles, an 10 opening in the side wall of the drum and a 010- sure for said opening, a longitudinal shaft within the drum detachably connected to the axles, radial arms carried by the shaft, means on the ends of the arms. whereby items to be cleaned may be attached, means enabling a liquid to be introduced into the tank and drum, and means for rotating the drum and shaft;

ANTHONY T. KARAS.

8 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 186,295 Beatty Jan. 16, 1877 203,695 Austin May 14, 1878 218,327 Smith Aug. 5, 1879 740,778 Prestwich Oct. 6; 1903 770,172 Doize et a1 Sept. 13, 1904 838,640 Orkin Dec. 18, 1906 1,345,341 Anders July 6, 1920 1,783,249 MacMillen Dec. 2, 1930 1,854,228 Schenck Apr. 19, 1932 2,019,011 Johnson Oct. 29, 1935 2,193,495 Rolkern Mar. 12, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 20 Number Country Date 526,535 Great Britain Sept. 19, 1940 

